Whip up these simple and healthy Valentine’s Day chocolate treats.

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like chocolate, so what better way to show your loved ones how much you care than by whipping up healthy chocolate treats?

These chocolate truffles are rich, fudgy, and protein packed. Soaking the dates in boiling water is an essential step and it will help soften them. Both cacao and cocoa powder work in this recipe, and you can use 100% cacao chocolate chips, if you’re avoiding refined sugar.

They can get a little sticky, so use a small ice cream scoop to shape the truffles into balls, or you can get a little crazy and just scoop some up with your hands and form a ball. You can place them on parchment paper to help with clean up or place the truffles directly on a plate.

These delicious tokens of love can be stored in the fridge for one week or kept frozen for up to one month - but we doubt they’ll even make it to the freezer!

Makes about 20 truffles

These rich and fudgy treats are packed with protein and irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dates, pitted, soaked (about 20 dates)

• 2 cups ground almond flour

• 1 scoop Life’s Abundance Chocolate Protein Powder

• 1/4 cup cacao powder

• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup boiling water

 

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, soak the dates in just enough boiling water to cover them (about 1 cup of water). Soak for five minutes and then drain them, reserving 1/2 cup of water.
   
   
2. Add the almond flour, dates, Life’s Abundance Chocolate Protein Powder, cacao powder, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt to a food processor and process until it forms a cookie dough–like texture (about 30-60 seconds). Mix in the chocolate chips.
   
   
3. Scoop the batter into balls, being careful of the blade in the food processor. Place balls on a lined rim baking sheet with parchment paper or on a clean plate.
   
   
4. Add one scoop of Life’s Abundance Chocolate Protein powder to a small bowl. Gently roll the balls into the chocolate protein powder to coat them. Reuse leftover chocolate protein powder in your recipes.

Please note: This tasty treat is intended for human consumption only. This recipe contains chocolate and chocolate is highly toxic to pets. Keep chocolate products out of reach from your pets at all times.

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Maintaining your pet's dental health is key to a longer, healthier and happier life for them.

Dental care is just as important for our furry family members as it is for us. However, keeping your pet’s smile healthy and bright isn’t quite as simple as taking care of your own pearly whites.

Our four-legged friends don’t have the ability to clean their own teeth, and, as you’ve probably noticed, they don’t love you poking around in there either. Because pets can be prone to painful or even life-threatening dental disease, it’s important to consider setting up cat or dog teeth cleaning appointments with your vet.

How do pet dental cleanings work?

To clean a dog or cat’s teeth, they’re usually put under general anesthesia at the vet’s office or animal hospital. This is necessary both to keep the vet’s hands safe as they work inside your pet’s mouth, and to keep your best pal comfortable as the vet scrapes at and cleans the teeth both above and below the gum line.

While this may seem like a big procedure, it’s important to remove plaque and germs to avoid gingivitis, infected teeth, and other dental conditions that can become serious. Luckily, most cat and dog teeth cleanings are recommended only once per year. In between, you can take a proactive role in keeping their mouth healthy.

Home tooth brushing

You can most certainly brush your dog or cat’s teeth without employing general anesthesia to get the job done. There are several different sizes and styles of pet toothbrushes available on the market, and you can choose the one that makes the most sense for your family, based on the size and temperament of your favorite fluffball. From large toothbrushes with 360-degree heads and long handles, to brushing thimbles that fit on your finger, there’s something for every size and breed.

And don’t forget toothpaste! Far from the traditional mint flavor varieties that we humans, enjoy, dog and cat toothpaste comes in flavors such as cheddar, peanut butter and vanilla. Find a flavor your pet really loves, so that brushing time feels like a treat.

Most cat and dog teeth cleanings are recommended only once per year.

Treats that do the trick

Finally, you can trick your pet into cleaning their own teeth. How? With treats. There are many different types of treats that work to clean teeth and freshen breath.

Some treats, like our Porky Puffs, help to scrape food and plaque off of teeth as your dog chews on them. Plus, they’re safer and tastier than rawhide. Similarly, our Premium Cow Ears are gentle on tummies, while being tough on plaque.

Another dog favorite that gets the job done is our Water Buffalo Bully Sticks. Sold in a pack, these meaty, healthy sticks provide a satisfying chewing experience while maintaining your dog’s dental health by helping to reduce tartar.

Finally, sometimes you just need a treat specifically created with dental health in mind, like our Gourmet Dental Treats. With treats like these, your dog gets to eat something delicious (ours are honey and peanut butter flavored), and you get to rest easy knowing they’re providing your precious pooch with nutrients like calcium and phosphorus that are essential to bone and tooth health.

Our pets keep us smiling. The least we can do is take care of their smiles, so that they can stay happy and healthy for years to come.

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Valentine's Day is a great time to shown your skin the love it deserves.

Valentine's Day is a day of expressing love for those you appreciate in your life - but while you’re at it take this time to pamper yourself and show your skin some love too. Here are a few tips that will make you feel confident and help you glow from head-to-toe.

Start off with a clean slate by giving your skin a thorough cleansing. Use a gentle, non-stripping cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. This will prepare your skin to better absorb any products you use afterwards and ensure that you're not clogging your pores.

Next, it’s time to exfoliate! Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and reveals a brighter, smoother complexion. This Hibiscus Mask & Scrub is a great 2-in-1 product that was designed to both exfoliate and nourish the skin. You can either gently massage into your skin and rinse or, if you have a little extra time, leave it on for 10-15 minutes to give your skin a more potent dose of antioxidants and vitamins to combat environmental stresses. Suitable for all skin types, your skin will feel softer, smoother, and look more radiant.

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and reveals a brighter, smoother complexion.

After your mask, it's time to apply your other favorite skin care products. This includes serum and moisturizer. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, using these products can help target these problem areas. Look for a serum with a blend of antioxidants, plant extracts, and essential oils, which are said to help improve the appearance of the skin. After applying a few drops, follow up with a hydrating moisturizer. This is especially important for those of us with drier skin.

Show your body some love too. Your skin care doesn't need to stop at your face. Give yourself a full-body treatment and show it the love it deserves. Finish up your day of self care by applying a delicate body lotion that will leave you feeling soft and hydrated. Pay special attention to areas like your elbows, knees, and heels, which tend to be drier.

Life gets busy, making it hard to take care of your skin on a daily basis but Valentine's Day is a great time to show your skin some extra love and attention. By cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, and using the right products for your skin type and concerns, you can achieve a glowing, healthy complexion. With these tips, you'll be ready to celebrate Valentine's Day feeling confident and beautiful.

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At Life’s Abundance, we found a way to include our furry friends in on our sustainability mission.

When you’re shopping at the grocery store for your favorite cut of meat, you might see anything from prime rib and chuck roast to tenderloin or top round. It may seem like a lot of the animal is being utilized, but there are actually many body parts that Americans aren’t accustomed to eating and ultimately end up going to waste.

So, what’s to be done about it? At Life’s Abundance, sustainability is something we work hard on factoring into many of our processes so we found a way to include our furry friends in on our mission. We offer a variety of treats that use the body parts of an animal that would otherwise go to waste. In fact, one of our dog treat vendors previously owned a farm where animals were raised solely for human consumption. After realizing the amount of waste that was resulting in this, they started utilizing those extra parts for dog treats. This included pig snouts and cow ears - which might sound familiar if your pup is a fan of our Porky Puffs and Premium Cow Ears.

We offer a variety of treats that use the body parts of an animal that would otherwise go to waste.

Working with vendors like these have aligned our goals of prioritizing sustainability as well as providing the best for your pet. And let’s face it - dogs love pure meat, so single-ingredient treats like these are bound to be on their list of tail-wagging favorites. 

Here are all of our single-ingredient treats that foster sustainability in this way and would otherwise be considered waste by other suppliers:

• Porky Puffs
• Premium Cow Ears
• Bison Kidney Freeze-Dried Treats
• Bison Liver Freeze-Dried Treats
• Turkey Hearts Freeze-Dried Treats
• Water Buffalo Lungs
• Water Buffalo Bully Sticks

When you shop with Life’s Abundance, you’re not just providing high quality products to your family and furry friends’ for their wellbeing, you’re helping the planet. Sustainability has always been a huge part of our purpose so whether it’s installing solar panels at our headquarters, reducing waste in how we package your orders or getting the most out of the source ingredients we use for our dog treats - we’re always looking for ways to better our environment.

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Science has found that taking a multivitamin each day may give your mood a natural boost. 

Have you ever wondered what exactly a multivitamin does for your body? It's a common supplement that many people take, but do you really know what it's supposed to do and whether it actually works?

First off, let's define a multivitamin. It's essentially a supplement that contains a combination of vitamins and minerals. The idea behind taking one each morning is that it can help fill in any nutritional gaps in your diet and ensure that you're getting all of the nutrients your body needs to function properly. But do they really live up to their claims? Let's take a closer look.  

What a Multivitamin Can (and Can’t) Do 

Let’s face it, even the best multivitamin can’t completely counterbalance the effects of eating fast food for every meal. But what it can do is help make up for the gaps that even the healthiest diet may present.

Some studies have found that people who take them regularly have a lower risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. In addition, certain groups of people may benefit from taking a multivitamin. For example, pregnant women may benefit from one that contains folic acid, as it's important for the development of the fetal brain and spine. Older adults may also benefit from taking a multivitamin, because they may be at a higher risk of nutrient deficiencies due to changes in their body's ability to absorb nutrients.

While this is all excellent for the body, science now suggests that multivitamins may offer additional benefits - specifically for the mind.

Give your diet a daily boost with all the nutrients you need and none of the extras that you don't.

Memory and Cognitive Health 

Good news for those who don’t quite have the best memory - a multivitamin may help. A recent study found that taking a daily multivitamin may actually improve your cognitive health. In fact, in a blind study of over 2,250 adults over 65, those who took multivitamins daily for three years appeared to experience 60% less cognitive decline than those who took a placebo. 

While more research is needed to solidify this exciting new link, previous studies seem to back up its findings. They have also suggested that multivitamins may be able to improve memory and brain activity in seniors as well.

Mood Benefits

Feeling a little down? A lack of vitamins and proper nutrition has long been linked with not only physical but psychological illnesses. Science has found that taking a multivitamin each day may give your mood a natural boost. 

Even better, researchers have found that multivitamins and supplements may have the ability to decrease stress and fight depression in people of all ages. Know anyone who could use a little less stress in their life? 

Is Taking a Multivitamin Right for You?

Don’t get us wrong – if you think you may be suffering from a mental health issue, then a trip to Vitamin Shoppe® is no substitute for a visit to your healthcare professional. But if you’re looking for a way to supplement a healthy diet, then investing in a good multivitamin may be a great choice for you.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that not every multivitamin is created equal. Some may only contain minimal vitamins and nutrients, while others may throw in every ingredient in the book. This is where a little knowledge in proper label reading can go a long way!

Finding the Perfect Multivitamin Balance 

We realize just how tricky it can be to find a multivitamin that doesn’t over or underdo it. That’s why we created our own Multivitamin, which contains the right blend of essential vitamins and extracts.

Delivered in veggie capsules with no magnesium stearate, you can rest assured that our multivitamins are non-GMO, gluten-free, and contain no artificial flavors or preservatives. Give your diet a daily boost with all the nutrients you need and none of the extras that you don't.

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Don't Be D-Railed By Short Winter Days

Life's Abundance is fueled by a passion for helping families live longer, happier, healthier lives.

In a long-awaited update, on December 23, 2022, the FDA updated a statement about their investigation into the suspected relationship between certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Here are the key takeaways you should know:

• Their conclusion is that there’s insufficient data to establish a causal relationship between DCM in dogs and the food they were eating.
• After a drastically declining amount of consumer reports, they’re no longer releasing any further public updates.
• The FDA encourages continued scientific and academic research into DCM.
• They refer pet owners to seek nutritional guidance from their veterinarian.

With the declining amount of reports, they’re no longer releasing any further public updates.

In 2018, in the original statement, the FDA was investigating a potential link between certain diets that frequently contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legumes, and/or potatoes in various forms as main ingredients, primarily grain free diets, and DCM in dogs due to an increasing number of consumer reports. 

Later on in 2019, they named the top reported 16 pet food brands that were being fed to dogs reported to have DCM. Life’s Abundance, thankfully, wasn’t on this list and our foods weren’t the subject of an FDA investigation. 

How To Know Which Food To Trust

At Life’s Abundance we’re fueled by our passion for helping families, including pets, live longer, happier, healthier lives. You and your family are at the top of our minds as we develop products, select ingredients, choose suppliers and answer your questions. In fact, there are quite a few things that set us apart:

Authenticity: Our formulas are based on proven science, we don’t buy into fads and marketing gimmicks. And, because we’re proactive in our approach, we were among the first to include guaranteed probiotics in our foods.
Guaranteed Taurine: We guarantee minimum amounts of taurine in all of our dry dog foods. Though this nutrient isn’t required by AAFCO, we’ve always found it to be  an important and beneficial supplement in our dog foods.
Regular Testing: We regularly test all of our dry foods. Some tests are standard protocol and some go above and beyond standard requirements. For example, after the 2018 FDA report indicated that there may be a link between DCM in dogs and taurine deficiency, we re-tested taurine levels in all of our dry dog food diets. Then, later that year we re-tested Vitamin D after a series of recalls by other brands due to an excess of this nutrient. In all cases, we remain vigilant about the safety of our products.
Proven Results: For over two decades families like yours have trusted us to provide the best nutrition for their pets. Generations of dogs and cats have thrived on our products and thousands of pet parents have shared their satisfaction with our products through thousands of reviews.
Feeding Trials: We recognize the importance of standardized, scientific testing and the value of feeding trials. We’ve successfully completed trials on half of our dry dog foods and we’re in the process to trial the rest.
Quick Notification System: We’re thrilled with the fact that we’ve never had a recall on our foods, but, what thrills customers the most is our Quick Notification System. Because of the direct relationship we have with customers, in the event there’s ever an issue with a product, this unique system affords you the luxury of being notified immediately.

We hope you’ll try one of our Life’s Abundance foods for your furry friends. If you’re already feeding our kibble, you can remain confident in your choice and our commitment to helping families, including pets, live long, healthy lives!

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So this is the year you’re really going to reach your wellness goals, right?  Starting your health journey - or restarting in some cases - might be on that list and we know it can be overwhelming to constantly think of a menu of healthy options to eat. So, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite quick and easy recipes to help you spend less time cooking and more time feasting.

Frozen Berry Bites

Frozen Berry Bites are a great on-the-go snack for the whole family.

Ready to have the whole family join in on the “healthy eating” journey? These Frozen Berry Bites require no time in the oven and are quick and easy to make with the kids. And, with our nutrient-packed Greens Blend in the mix, this will help everyone achieve their 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies. Whip this up for easy, on-the-go snacks, or when you’re craving a scoop of ice cream after dinner. 

Cherry Lemonade Recipe

Cherry Lemonade keeps you hydrated with a nutrient-packed punch.

As you gear up to start heading to the gym more often, you might be tempted to grab an energy drink on the way out the door. Make the smarter, less-sugary decision by making this five ingredient recipe including our Minerals & Antioxidants. The best part is you can make it in advance and store it in the fridge for up to five days, so you can have it ready to go on those extra sleepy mornings. 

Vanilla Pro-tains

Vanilla Pro-tains make for a delicious, sweet breakfast or side.

We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not make it count with a delicious, yet healthy, recipe? All you need are three ingredients and you’ll be able to make this quickly on a stove top or in an air fryer. Plantains are already packed with nutrients, but with our Vanilla Plant Protein, you’ll get an extra protein punch.

Have an easy, healthy recipe? Share your go-to below!

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Your pet will always cherish any quality time you spend with them. 

Every January, New Year’s Resolutions are on many people’s minds. Maybe you plan on reading more, eating healthier, or spending more time with family, but what about our pets? Do our sweet fur babies even have their own resolutions for the new year? If cats and dogs could talk, here are some resolutions we think they’d declare along with some ideas on how we, their humans, can help them achieve them:

Eat Healthier

Lots of us pledge to lose weight or eat healthier when January rolls around. Why should our pets be any different? If your dog has packed on a few extra pounds over this last year, help them reach their goal of slimming down by feeding them our Adult Weight Loss food.

Exercise More

Ever been to the gym at the beginning of January? Every machine is taken, and every corner is full of people trying their best to ditch the ten pounds of cookies and cocktails they might have gained over the holidays. And while pet gyms aren’t a thing…yet, you can encourage more active and fit pets by engaging them in regular playtime and activity.

Laser pointers or feather wands are almost guaranteed to get cats motivated to jump around. For dogs, be sure to take them on multiple walks and play fetch with their favorite ball. All of these activities will help you and your pet bond, while also keeping them trim and fit.

Getting some exercise with your pet is a great way to keep them fit.

Level Up On Looks

There’s something about the start of the year that has us all wanting to look our best - whether that's with the help of a new jacket or a fresh haircut. If your pet is also looking for a fresh new ‘coat’ to show off on their next visit to the local dog park, you can help them out by keeping them looking clean and smelling fresh, with products like our Revitalizing Shampoo for dogs and cats.

Spend Time With the Ones You Love

At the heart of it all, people and pets alike want the chance to spend quality time with the ones they love the most. Because when it comes down to it, what’s the point of us or our pets having resolutions to slim down, tone up, or glam out if we don’t have anyone to share it with?

We’re the center of our pet’s universe, and more often than not, they’re the center of ours. So, carve out time to spend with them, whether it’s taking a long walk, playing with a favorite toy, or snuggling up on the couch together to watch a classic movie. We promise it’s time well spent that you’re both sure to cherish for years to come.

Happy New Year from Life’s Abundance!

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Probiotics ensure your body has the support it needs to keep your health goals on track.

Along with joy and cheer, people also tend to spread germs during the holidays! And even if the seasonal bug doesn’t get you, sometimes the accompanying holiday stress of shopping, hosting, cooking and lack of sleep will. And these things will take a toll on your health. That’s why it’s so important to introduce probiotics into your daily routine.

Why Probiotics Are Particularly Vital During The Winter Season 

While they often get a bad rap, it's important to understand that not all bacteria are created equal. In fact, the average human gut contains over 100 trillion bacteria, many of which have important health benefits!

That's why probiotic supplements are designed to ensure that your body has all the support it needs to enjoy the benefits of healthy bacteria. 

Probiotics Play A Key Role In Preventing Illness

Probiotics help maintain your body’s count of friendly bacteria, which act as a tiny army to combat viruses. When an intruder is detected, these bacteria play a key role in the production of natural antiviral proteins. Probiotics ensure that your immune system has plenty of reinforcement in the fight against the seasonal cold and flu.

Probiotics Promote Proper Digestion

Let’s admit it - one of the best parts of family gatherings is all of the delicious food. Just remember that the more you eat the more your gut will have to work. Healthy gut bacteria not only boosts the immune system but also plays an essential role in digestion. Probiotics can help ensure that your digestive tract maintains enough healthy bacteria to avoid issues such as bloating, constipation, acid indigestion, and IBS.

Healthy gut bacteria not only boosts your immunity but also plays an essential role in digestion.

Sleep So Good You’ll Think You Hibernated

All of the logistical planning involved in family gatherings, holiday getaways and hectic shopping sprees surrounding the season can often result in a less predictable winter sleep schedule. Unfortunately, when your sleep cycle is thrown off, your body's healthy bacteria count will often follow. The good news is that the opposite is also true. Not only can probiotics help keep your gut healthy, but science now suggests that they can also lead to an improvement in the quality of sleep.  

Probiotics Can Help Counteract Holiday Cookies

It’s inevitable that most of us will overindulge during the holidays - whether it’s cookies, cocktails or grandma’s casserole, but it doesn’t need to stress you out.  Science has linked probiotics to the prevention of weight gain, so enjoy those extra peanut butter kisses, and pop a daily probiotic capsule as a great way to ensure your body has all the support it needs to keep your health goals on track.  

Alleviate Stress During The Winter Season

Between shopping, parties, and potlucks, winter can get hectic, but it turns out that the benefits of probiotics don’t end with immune and gut health. Research has also shown that they can relieve stress and depression while boosting cognitive function - just another reason to add them to your arsenal. 

At Life’s Abundance, we want to help keep you happy and healthy all season long. That's why we created a premium probiotic formula with at least 25 billion CFUs per capsule. This formula was developed with an award winning probiotics manufacturer in the USA, focused on supplying the highest quality strains that are vigorously tested using top technological advances. We go through this extensive process so you can get the full benefit out of our probiotics.

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Apples are chock-full of vitamins including Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium and antioxidants.

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away perhaps it keeps the Veterinarian away as well. Apples are a nutrient-packed superfood, but do they have the same health impact on your four-legged friends? Depending on how often you give your pup apples, they can serve as a delicious, healthy treat.

Benefits of apples for dogs:

• Apples are low in calories and chock-full of vitamins including Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium and antioxidants. One of the benefits of antioxidants is that they can help to reduce inflammation. In fact, apples contain quercetin which is an antioxidant that has been known to act as an antihistamine, helping inhibit the effects of allergies.
• Apples are a great source of fiber for your furry friends, especially in the peel. And just like in people, fiber plays a huge role in the digestive system to keep everything moving. This helps your dog maintain a healthy weight.
• Looking for a snack that helps with dental health? Apples contain malic acid, which aids in keeping their teeth cleaner and breath fresher. Plus, the natural chewing action helps scrub off food build-up.

As a note, if you choose to give your furry friend a fresh apple, make sure you are removing the core and seeds. The seeds can contain a small amount of cyanide, which can lead to problems should they eat too many by mistake. In addition, you don’t want to give them too large a serving, as an overabundance of fiber can cause digestive problems - we suggest sticking to one or two small slices.

Because apples are so nutrient-rich and enjoyed by dogs, we decided to make it one of the two top ingredients in our newest dog treats - Pork & Apple Recipe sausage treats for dogs. This treat packs a nutritious punch. Your pup will love the deli-style sausage links, and you’ll love how good it is for them.

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